2004 DODGE INTREPID Owners Manual

5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.
Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or “muddy” sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.COMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the compact discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch-
ing the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
NOTE:If you experience difficulty in playing a particu-
lar disc, it may be damaged, oversized, or have theft
protection encoding. Try a known good disc before
considering disc player service.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113
4

RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the operation of a cellular
phone in your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy perfor-
mance from your radio. This condition may be lessened
or eliminated by relocating the cellular phone antenna.
This condition is not harmful to the radio. If your radio
performance does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repo-
sitioning of the antenna, it is recommended that the radio
volume be turned down or off during cellular phone
operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
Manual Air Conditioning/Heater Operation
The Air Conditioning System allows you to balance the
temperature, amount, and direction of the air circulating
throughout the vehicle.
The controls are as follows:
Fan Control
Use this control to regulate the amount of air forced
through the system in any mode you select. Turn the
control clockwise to increase fan speed. Turn the control
114 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

to the O (Off) position to shut off the fan and to prevent
any outside air from entering the vehicle. This also turns
off the A/C compressor.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the temperature of the air
inside the passenger compartment. The blue area of the
control indicates cooler temperatures while the red area
indicates warmer temperatures.
Mode Control
Use this control to direct the flow of air as follows:
NOTE:The dot between the mode control icons is a mix
position between the two modes.
Recirculate
Air is recirculated inside the vehicle. You may
choose between Bi-Level and Panel air outlets
while in this mode. Use this mode to temporarily
block out any outside odors, smoke, or dust and to
cool the interior rapidly upon initial start up in very
hot or humid weather.Panel Recirculation
Directs all air through the panel outlets.
Bi-Level Recirculation
Directs air through the panel and floor outlets.
NOTE:Continuous use of the Recirculate modes may
make the inside air stuffy. Use of these modes for longer
than fifteen minutes is not recommended.
The A/C compressor turns on automatically when this
mode is selected. This is to help reduce moisture build up
on the windshield.
Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct
air flow.
Bi-Level
Air is directed through the instrument panel and
floor outlets. A small amount of air is also
directed through the defrost outlets.
NOTE:
There is a varying temperature differential
between the upper and lower outlets for added comfort.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115
4

The warmer air goes to the floor outlets. This feature
provides improved comfort during sunny but cool con-
ditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
lesser amount through the defrost and side win-
dow demist outlets.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and
side window demist outlets. This setting works
best in cold or snowy conditions that require
extra heat at the windshield. This setting is good for
maintaining comfort while reducing moisture on the
windshield.
Windshield Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with
maximum fan and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.NOTE:
The air conditioning compressor operates in
this mode. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the
windshield. To improve fuel economy, leave in the De-
frost mode only when necessary.
A/C Pushbutton
With the fan control in the ON position, push-
ing the A/C button turns on the air condition-
ing compressor. An indicator light above the
button shows that the Air Conditioning compressor is
on. Conditioned air is now directed through the
outlets selected. Pushing the button a second time
turns the compressor OFF.
Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the compressor is on. This is a normal occurrence
since the compressor will cycle on and off to maintain
comfort and increase fuel economy.
116 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects. Clean with
a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and
through the condenser as required. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing
air conditioning performance.
NOTE:See Operating Tips chart (for both Manual A/C
and ATC systems) at the end of this section for suggested
control settings in different weather conditions.
Rear Window Defroster
Press the button once to turn on the Rear Window
Defroster and a second time to turn it off. A light
above the button shows that the Rear Defroster is On.
NOTE:The defroster turns off automatically after 15
minutes of operation. Each later activation will allow 7
1/2 minutes of operation.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors, do not
use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive window
cleaners on the interior surface of the rear window.
Labels can be peeled off by soaking with warm
water.
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped
The ATC system can maintain a steady comfort level in
various weather conditions with a simple two step op-
eration. Press the AUTO button and select your comfort
setting. The system will automatically control comfort by
varying temperature, fan speed, and Mode.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 117
4

You also may choose to customize your comfort by
selecting the fan speed and Mode. This will place the
system into manual operation
Interior ATC Sensors
There are two interior sensors in the vehicle. The Sun
Sensor is mounted in the center of the instrument panel
near the windshield glass. The In-Car Temperature Sen-
sor is mounted behind the ATC control panel. These
sensors transmit data on sun strength and vehicle interior
temperatures to enhance system performance.
CAUTION!
Do not cover either sensor with any foreign material
as improper operation of the system will result.
Level Of Automatic Control
72°F (22°C) is the recommended setting for maximum
comfort for the average person, however, this may vary.
NOTE:The temperature setting can be adjusted at any
time without affecting automatic control operation.The control also will show what Mode the system is in by
the figure shown in the display.
NOTE:The Mode can change when the system is in the
Auto Mode. This will be indicated in changes in the
display window. This shows automatic changes in air
direction.
Fan Control
Use this control to regulate the amount of air forced
through the system in any mode you select. Turn the
control clockwise to increase fan speed.
In ambient temperatures below 70°F (21°C), fan opera-
tion is delayed when the engine is first started. The fan
will automatically start when the engine coolant is warm
enough to heat the air. This feature can be defeated by
turning the fan control.
AUTO Control
Press the top of the button to turn the ATC system On.
Press the lower portion of the button to turn the entire
system Off.
118 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Comfort Control
Use this control to regulate the comfort inside the pas-
senger compartment. Press the top of the switch to raise
the temperature selection and the bottom of the switch to
lower it. The comfort setting range is from Lo, 60, 61,....to
89,90, Hi, for automatic temperature control. You can
select a very hot or cold comfort setting by holding the
comfort control until it reaches its highest or lowest
levels.
The system adjusts to bring the interior conditions to the
desired comfort level. All comfort settings are automatic;
even Hi and Low.
NOTE:You can change the display from U.S. to metric
units by pressing the Mix and Panel mode buttons
simultaneously or by pressing the English/Metric button
on the overhead console.
Air Conditioning Button
Press this button to turn on the air conditioning
compressor. A snow flake symbol in the display
shows that the compressor is on. Compressor
operation is automatic when you press the Auto button.The compressor can operate at any temperature above
32°F (0°C).
With the compressor off and the temperature set at Lo, air
entering the vehicle will be slightly warmer than the air
outside the vehicle.
NOTE:The compressor will not engage until the engine
has been running for several seconds. Slight changes in
engine speed or power may be noticed when the com-
pressor is on. This is a normal occurrence since the
compressor will cycle on and off to maintain comfort and
improve fuel economy.
Recirculate Button
Press this button to recirculate the air inside the
vehicle. Outside air is prevented from entering the
vehicle. Recirculation is automatically controlled when
the system is in Auto Mode. Use this mode to temporarily
block out any outside odors, smoke, or dust.
Manual control of Recirculation is possible only in Panel,
Floor, and Bi-Level modes. It will not operate in Mix, or
Defrost modes.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 119
4

NOTE:The Recirc button light will blink if you try to
use it in the Mix or Defrost modes.
Air Direction Buttons (Mode)
These buttons allow you to select from five air distribu-
tion patterns. These buttons should be used only when
you can not achieve comfort or visibility in Auto opera-
tion. A symbol in the display window will show which
mode is operating.
Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct
air flow. This mode is not recommended when heat is
required.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
lesser amount through the Defrost and side
window demist outlets. This mode is recommended
when heat is desired.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and
side window demist outlets. Use this setting incold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at the
windshield. This setting is good for maintaining com-
fort while reducing moisture on the windshield. The
compressor is on in this mode.
Bi-Level
Air is directed through both the panel and floor
outlets. This mode is not recommended when
heat is required in very cold temperatures.
NOTE:There is a varying difference in temperature
between the upper and lower outlets for added comfort.
The warmer air goes to the floor outlets. This feature
provides improved comfort during sunny but cool con-
ditions.
Windshield Defrost
Air is directed through the defrost outlets and
side window demist outlets. A small amount of
air also is directed through the floor outlets. Use this
mode with maximum fan and comfort level settings
for best windshield and side window defrosting. The
defrost symbol will glow in amber to show that the
defroster is on.
120 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL